Cai Zhao let out a faint sigh.
Why was she reluctant to roam the Martial World? Because there were always incidents of the strong bullying the weak, and as someone who upheld righteousness, she couldn't turn a blind eye to such matters. It was better to stay hidden in Fallen Blossom Town, where she wouldn't have to see such unpleasantness.
But now that she was out here, how could she ignore the cries of a damsel in distress? So she immediately turned and followed the sound.
Rounding a dark green mountain hollow, she indeed saw a group of young sect disciples gathered in a circle, laughing and jeering at something. They had cornered a tall, lanky youth against the cliff face, shouting threats.
At the front stood a beautiful girl in apricot robes, apparently their leader, who shrilled, "...Be sensible and obey, and we won't take your life—just a bit of skin and flesh!"
Cai Zhao blinked in surprise. So it wasn't a helpless maiden being bullied after all.
A sharp-faced youth egged them on: "That's right! Chang Ning, you should be dead already! If not for the master's efforts to save you, you'd be long gone!"
Another square-jawed youth added darkly, "You survived, but you took the Snow Lotus Pill meant for our senior sister, damaging her cultivation. Don't you deserve to die ten thousand deaths for that?"
The surrounding youths jeered in agreement: "Just let us take a bowl of your heart's blood, and we'll spare you... Haha, or else we'll skin you alive..."
The tall youth named Chang Ning turned slightly. "Who exactly claimed my heart's blood has the same effect as the Snow Lotus Pill?" His clothes were dull and worn, but his tone was calm, though his voice was hoarse, as if he had suffered severe injuries.
"You all know I'm not just injured—I'm also poisoned. Do you really want the heart's blood of someone still riddled with toxins?" Chang Ning turned fully, revealing a face covered in festering sores. Some had crusted over with black scabs, while others still oozed pus—a truly revolting sight.
The youths recoiled in disgust.
"You don't actually want my heart's blood. You're just looking for an excuse to torment me." Chang Ning faced them squarely, his hideous face contrasting starkly with his clear, beautiful eyes, bright as the moon.
"I won't submit. If you have the guts, kill me and be done with it. Otherwise, I'll repay this tenfold."
Some of the youths wavered.
"Hey, this guy is the son of the sect master's old friend. If the master finds out..."
"Maybe we should drop it. We're just outer disciples—what if the master expels us in a rage?"
"Senior sister, what if the master punishes us?"
The beautiful girl bit her lip. "He ruined my cultivation progress. Even if we don't take his heart's blood, we can't let him off easy. Hmm... Let's just beat him up. If my father asks, we'll insist it was just sparring between fellow disciples! We're martial artists—it's not like we'd tattle over a few bruises. My father wouldn't punish us for that!"
This plan was clearly much lower risk, and the youths quickly agreed. Just as they were rolling up their sleeves to advance on the boy, a leisurely, unhurried girl's voice suddenly spoke from behind them—
"Have you had enough fun yet?"
They jumped in fright, whirling around to see a young girl in flowing embroidered robes standing quietly behind them. Sunlight filtered through the forest canopy, casting dappled light on her peach-blossom cheeks and fair, delicate features."The day after tomorrow marks the two-hundred-year memorial of the Patriarch. Nearly all the prominent sects in the martial world have gathered here. If they see you causing such a scene, won’t it disgrace the Azure Tower Sect?" She sighed helplessly.
—She had initially thought it was a group bullying a lone girl, only to find it was one girl leading a group to bully another. What a waste of her righteous indignation.
When two beauties meet, jealousy naturally arises. The lovely young girl stepped forward with her entourage and shouted, "Where did this little wench come from? What business is it of yours how the Azure Tower Sect disciplines its own disciples!" She assumed Cai Zhao was from some minor sect outside the Big Dipper Six Branches—after all, few in the world dared to stand tall before the Azure Tower Sect.
Cai Zhao replied leisurely, "Of course it concerns me, because in a few days, I’ll be joining Sect Leader Qi’s school. Since it’ll be my own sect’s reputation at stake, don’t you think I should protect it? And by then, I’ll even have to call you ‘Senior Sister Qi.’" In terms of brain stuffing, this young mistress seemed a perfect match for that Song Second Young Master from earlier.
Qi Lingbo faltered, her expression uncertain. "You... you’re from Fallen Blossom Valley... Cai Zhao?"
"Indeed." Hearing the girl repeatedly mention "my father," Cai Zhao had guessed she must be Sect Leader Qi’s daughter.
Qi Lingbo recalled her father’s enthusiasm for Fallen Blossom Valley and felt the urge to retreat. But the young men around her had long been her followers—if she backed down now, intimidated by Cai Zhao’s words, how could she ever save face in front of them again?
"Junior Sister Cai must have just arrived at Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff," Qi Lingbo forced a sweet smile. "It’s getting late—you should return to the guest quarters. Since you’re new here, there are matters you might not fully understand. This business has nothing to do with you."
Cai Zhao raised an eyebrow. "What if I refuse to leave?"
Qi Lingbo’s smile remained radiant, but her tone carried a hidden threat. "There are only two girls under my father’s tutelage. We ought to get along well in the years to come. If you insist on being stubborn and ruin our sisterly bond, how will we train together as fellow disciples?"
Cai Zhao considered this seriously. "No problem. I don’t actually care for martial arts anyway. My parents never taught me any. In the future, Senior Sister can focus on her training while I read books and enjoy the scenery."
"If you don’t like martial arts, why are you here?" Qi Lingbo’s smile stiffened.
"To become a disciple. I want to be the master’s student," Cai Zhao replied, as if exhausted by the explanation.
"If you’re not here to learn martial arts, why bother becoming my father’s disciple?" Qi Lingbo couldn’t wrap her head around it. The Azure Tower Sect’s martial arts were unparalleled—countless aspirants flocked here every year.
Cai Zhao answered smoothly, "Senior Sister, you’re being too utilitarian. Isn’t cultivating one’s character and virtue important? Sect Leader Qi is renowned as a sincere gentleman, benevolent and kind-hearted—if I can learn even a fraction of that, it’ll benefit me for life... Why are all my fellow disciples looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
—For example, when a shop owner gives an opening speech, would they bluntly declare they’re here to make money, lots of money, and even more money? Of course not—they’d say it’s to benefit the community and foster goodwill.
The young men shifted awkwardly, mumbling vague agreements. Qi Lingbo’s face darkened. "What a silver tongue you have! I doubt our Azure Tower Sect can accommodate such a grand figure!"Cai Zhao couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. "Senior Sister, are you threatening that I'll be turned away from the Azure Tower Sect? But is it really up to you whether I can become a disciple or not? Employees listen to their managers, and managers listen to their employers—how does this senior sister not understand such a simple principle? Poor Uncle Qi, such a kind and amiable man, yet he raised a daughter with such poor judgment."
Qi Lingbo was momentarily speechless.
Cai Zhao continued, "If Sect Leader Qi insists on accepting me as a disciple, and Senior Sister isn't happy about it, does that mean Sect Leader Qi will obey your orders and refuse me entry?"
Hearing the muffled laughter behind her, Qi Lingbo's expression turned stormy.
Had Song Yuzhi been present, he would have warned Qi Lingbo not to argue with Cai Zhao—not even to speak, lest she be infuriated to death.
Qi Lingbo said through gritted teeth, "Chang Ning offended me, and today I intend to vent my anger. If you refuse to step aside, as your senior sister, I'll have no choice but to teach you some manners."
She had already made up her mind. Since Cai Zhao's martial skills were mediocre at best, she might as well slap her a few times to vent her frustration. If her father questioned her later, she would insist that she had merely wanted to test Cai Zhao's skills during their first meeting and had accidentally gone too far.
"Are you done talking?" Chang Ning glanced at Cai Zhao, then spoke after a moment of contemplation. "You're all so tedious. First, you want to teach me a lesson, then you want to teach someone else a lesson. If you're going to act, hurry up and do it. Stop dragging this out."
The crowd glared at him indignantly. Qi Lingbo smirked at Cai Zhao. "See? This is how ungrateful he is. Ever since arriving at the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff, he's been this disrespectful, never listening to his seniors..."
"Aside from being rude, has he done anything else wrong?" Cai Zhao interrupted. "If so, say it quickly. Otherwise, I'm taking this matter into my own hands."
"He's this insolent, and you still want to defend him?!" Qi Lingbo seemed genuinely surprised.
Cai Zhao remained unfazed. "As long as he isn't a villain and hasn't provoked anyone, you have no right to bully him. Whether he's polite or likable has nothing to do with me." Her aunt had once told her that acting chivalrously and upholding justice didn't always bring rewards—sometimes, it didn't even earn gratitude.
Qi Lingbo had beautiful almond-shaped eyes, but now they were wide with fury. "You're asking for trouble. Just wait and see how I—"
She raised her right arm, pivoted into stance, and poised her hand like a blade, ready to strike Cai Zhao. But before she could, a familiar voice cried out from nearby—"Lingbo, stop! What do you think you're doing?!"
Cai Zhao turned and saw Zeng Dalou.
He was rushing over with several disciples, looking utterly exasperated.
Cai Zhao sighed softly in disappointment. Her aunt had also said that maintaining one's demeanor was crucial in the Martial World. Even if you were itching to slap someone, you had to show some courtesy when a mediator arrived.
Keep smiling, and harmony brings prosperity.
"Lingbo, you're becoming more and more disobedient! I've told you repeatedly not to bully Chang Ning—what did you promise everyone? And now, not only are you at it again, but you're escalating! The Fallen Blossom Valley group just arrived at the Myriad Waters, Thousand Mountains Cliff today, and instead of playing host, you're trying to pick on them! I'll report everything truthfully. You—you'd better leave now!"
Though Zeng Dalou's scolding sounded harsh, Cai Zhao could tell he was subtly shielding Qi Lingbo.Unfortunately, though his intentions were good, with so many eyes watching, Qi Lingbo was in no mood to back down. She stamped her foot. "Stay out of this! I'll answer to Father later. But today, I must teach these two... these two a lesson!"
Cai Zhao chuckled. "And how do you plan to teach me a lesson?"
Zeng Dalou stepped forward, shielding Cai Zhao behind him, and muttered, "Keep quiet."
Cai Zhao found it odd—she had known Zeng Dalou for less than two hours, yet he was telling her to hold her tongue instead of his own sect's Qi Lingbo.
Qi Lingbo raised her voice. "Martial artists settle things with their fists!"
Peeking out from behind Zeng Dalou, Cai Zhao grinned. "All I did was say a few words. I didn’t take your Snow Lotus Pill, nor did I disrespect you. Yet you’re lumping me together with this little junior brother Chang Ning? How do you figure that, Senior Sister Qi?"
Qi Lingbo’s eyes reddened with anger. "You dare say you didn’t disrespect me?! If not for you, I wouldn’t have been scolded or face Father’s punishment later. If not for you, none of this would’ve happened—"
"You’re wrong," Chang Ning suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention.
He looked at Cai Zhao. "I’m older than you. I’m not your little junior brother."
The crowd froze.
Cai Zhao sighed sagely. "You’re the one being bullied, and I’m here to help. Shouldn’t you just accept being called ‘little junior brother’? When traveling the Martial World, one ought to be more agreeable."
Chang Ning glanced skyward. "I’d rather take a beating from those younger than me than be called their junior brother. Their flimsy fists wouldn’t hurt anyway."
"You two... this is too much!" Qi Lingbo was on the verge of collapse.
"Enough! Both of you, stop talking!" Zeng Dalou bellowed.
After his outburst, everyone turned to stare at him.
Zeng Dalou pressed a throbbing vein at his temple. "All three of you, shut up!—Today, all sects have gathered at the Myriad Cliffs. Do you want outsiders to laugh at the Northern Star Lineage?! Lingbo, come with me to face punishment. The rest of you, disperse!"
Cai Zhao shrugged, showing no objection. Qi Lingbo’s eyes brimmed with tears as she dragged her feet.
Just then, another figure rushed into the grove, brushing past Cai Zhao like a gust of wind before positioning himself between Zeng Dalou and Qi Lingbo, arms outstretched in mediation.
"Wait, wait, let’s talk this through!" The young man was handsome and dressed as a sect disciple, his forehead glistening with sweat—clearly, he had hurried over after hearing Zeng Dalou’s arrival.
Qi Lingbo’s eyes lit up. She took a small, pitiful step forward. "...Second Senior Brother."
Cai Zhao gave the performance full marks—pitiful yet coquettish, resentful yet fearful, fearful yet pleading. It seemed this Junior Sister Qi might struggle with women but had men wrapped around her finger. Truly, every talent finds its use; if one door closes, another opens.
The young man first clasped his hands toward Cai Zhao. "Junior Sister Cai, you’ve only just arrived, and our sect disciples failed in their hospitality, leaving you to wander alone and nearly causing a misunderstanding with our little junior sister. This is our negligence. Junior Sister Cai, I must first apologize to you."
His words were clever—phrases like "wander alone" and "misunderstanding" deftly reframed what had been blatant bullying into something far milder."No need, no need." Cai Zhao smiled cheerfully. "I don't have any issues with Senior Sister Qi. As long as she doesn't lecture me, that's fine. What's important is this junior brother Chang Ning... Huh?"
At some point, the tall young man with the face full of poisonous sores had already disappeared. Perhaps growing impatient with the wait, Chang Ning had actually left on his own.
Cai Zhao gave an awkward laugh. "Well then, there's nothing left to settle."
The young man turned to Zeng Dalou with another plea. "Things are extremely busy up front. Master is occupied with greeting all the sect leaders, and there are many matters below waiting for your instructions. Why not leave Little Junior Sister to me? I'll give her a proper scolding. What do you think...?"
Zeng Dalou was utterly helpless and waved his hand to dismiss the gathering.
Qi Lingbo wiped away her tears and smiled, childishly tugging at the young man's sleeve as she happily skipped away with him.
Once she left, the gang of young accomplices shrank back even more, practically hugging the mountain wall as they slunk off. Zeng Dalou shot them a glare, and they scattered like a line of mice.
Cai Zhao looked ahead, then behind her.
Today was another day of striving for the path of righteousness—though she'd apparently rescued an ungrateful little white-eyed wolf.
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